5 Video Game Franchises Worth Playing

Most of the top video games are part of larger franchises, which have become more popular among gamers with each new release. What is the reason why we keep returning to old favourites? Game mechanics are shared by multiple games, as well as fighting styles. However, it seems we still are mostly drawn to compelling stories with complex characters whom we end up becoming attached to. And if we can somehow add our own personal touch and influence the story in one way or another, there’s no going back. The following top presents five video game franchises worth playing that will surely stay in your hearts a long time after you finished them.

1. Assassin’s Creed

Genre: Alternative history

Publisher: Ubisoft

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation, Xbox, Wii U

Without being part of the simulation game category, Assassin’s Creed made the dreams of many history fans come true. Definitely one of the video game franchises worth playing, this period piece perfectly combines stunning visual representations of real places with the setting of hundred of years ago, as well as action-packed scenes and one of the best stealth engines ever featured. The compelling storyline will take you through the cities of Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus during the Third Crusade, 15th century Italy, including Florence, Venice and Rome, Constantinople, North America during the American Revolution, 18th century Caribbean, Paris during the French Revolution and Victorian era London.

2. The Elder Scrolls

Genre: Action role-playing

Publisher: Bethesda

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation, Xbox

Few people know that the following entry on our video game franchises worth playing list was released long ago before its most popular game to date. First released in 1994, the franchise has now six video games. Players of The Elder Scrolls series can explore different regions of the fantasy world, each with their own stories and populated by unique races. The popularity of the franchise skyrocketed with the release of Skyrim, a game considered revolutionary in terms of visual graphics. An online version of the game was released in 2014 and is at the moment free to play.

3. Tomb Raider

Genre: Action-adventure

Publisher: Eidos Interactive, Square Nix

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation, Xbox, Wii

The main character of this franchise managed to become one of the most compelling characters in video games, as well as a sex symbol. Everyone loves Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft, mainly because she was one of the first female protagonists featured in video games, who did not have to rely on a male counterpart. The success of the franchise led to a popular movie series starring none other than Angelina Jolie.

4. BioShock

Genre: First-person shooter

Publisher: 2K Games

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation, Xbox

Irrational Games and 2K Games joined forces and created one of the most original video game franchises worth playing: BioShock. Set in a futuristic retro steampunk world, the first and second games gave players the opportunity of exploring an underwater city. The third one dazzled everyone with the stunning scenery of the cloud city of Columbia. The action is quite intense and the realistic perspective and compelling and labyrinthic storyline will leave you hanging until the end, when you might probably need some guidelines to understand what has exactly happened.

5. Dragon Age

Genre: Action role-playing

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation, Xbox

Last but not least, a somehow neglected entry of the video game franchises worth playing is Dragon Age. Set in a beautiful fantasy world, the game distinguishes itself from others by letting the players completely customize their characters from the very beginning. Each action they take and each decision they make influences the outcome of the story. Other characters will also treat you differently depending on your relationship with them. The setting of the video game has been inspired by the Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings series, being a mix of the best fantasy works ever made.

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About Fred Mitchell

I like midnight surfing and going for jogs at sunrise with my my golden retriever, Charlie. When I'm not studying Russian literature or reading Dostoievski, you can find me playing video games like Witcher 3 or Battlefield Hardline, or hanging out in Starbucks sipping an Americano. I never leave the house without my phone and saying I am a social media addict would definitely not be an understatement.